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in Liverpool, to an area of about 22,000 acres in Bradford. Reference has already been made to the
area served by one ambulance in the case of Paris (see information under heading Paris).
If, in establishing a horse ambulance service, it was decided to commence by forming one or
two districts only, it would be better not to definitely settle the area which can be served by one
ambulance station, but rather to map out an area provisionally and to lessen or increase it after
experience had been gained.
In all probability, experience would show that an area which could be served by a one-horseambulance
station would vary according to the part of the county in which it was situated.
3. The position of the ambulance station in each district.—The ambulance stations would contain
one or more ambulances ready to start at a moment's notice according to the character of the district.
The experience of provincial towns suggests that there is advantage in having the ambulance
station at a police station, a fire station, or at a hospital. As regards the first two of these it must
be borne in mind that in these towns the horse ambulance is worked through the police force or the
fire brigade staff, and this fact has probably led to the use of these places as stations. In Liverpool,
where the service is worked by the mounted department of the police force, and where tbe conditions
to be dealt with are perhaps most like those of London, the hospitals are used as ambulance stations.
There is obviously considerable advantage in this arrangement, and the adoption of a similar plan in
London has much in its favour, but the fact that most of the hospitals in London are situated within
a small area on the north bank of the river would render it necessary that stations at other places
should >>e established.
4. Means of communication with the ambulance station.—The means which should be adopted
for this should consist of a system of direct telephonic communication from various points to the
ambulance station. The points of call should include police stations, railway stations, hospitals and
street standards similar to those in use for summoning fire engines. A good position for the last
would be at each of the principal cab ranks.
5. The staff.—This would have to be a special staff, and should consist of an attendant to
receive calls at each station and a driver for each ambulance. It would also be well that provision
should be made for despatching some one with medical and surgical knowledge to render first aid and
attend to the sufferer on his way to hospital. In all probability it might not be necessary that this
officer should be a qualified medical man, if persons willing to undertake the duty could be continually
obtained from among senior students. For this reason, there would be considerable advantage in
having ambulances stationed on or adjoining the -premises of the general hospitals, but as has been
already said, owing to the position of these hospitals horse-ambulance stations in other situations
would need to be provided in a complete system of horse ambulances for the whole of London.
6. The ltind of hoi'se ambulance.—I have not sufficient experience of the different kinds of horse
ambulances now in use in different towns to express any opinion on this point.
Shirley F. Murphy,
Medical Officer.